The Space Shuttle Atlantis breaks free from the confines of Earth as it soars
towards space to begin its STS-43 nine-day mission. The 11:02 a.m. EDT liftoff from Launch Pad 39A was at the opening
of the launch window.

The five-member crew will conduct a variety of activities, including the primary objective of
deploying the fourth Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-E). Crew members are Mission Commander John E. Blaha, Pilot Michael E. Baker, and Mission Specialists Shannon W. Lucid, James C. Adamson and G. David Low.